It was a match made in pastry heaven. In a “Serendipity”-esque twist sweeter than marzipan, Jean-Francois Gatorze first laid eyes on his wife Nora Gatorze when she stepped into hisbakery. Now, the two own and run the brand-new La Toulousaine patisserie, café, and boulangerie at 946 Amsterdam between 106th and 107th streets.
Two-week-old La Toulousaine is a tiny jewel amid the crowded establishments on Amsterdam Avenue. Furnished with just a few tables and a single oven, the café does all of its baking in-house; the scene is completed by brick walls and violet accents. Inside, the owners are focusing on growing their business.
“Some days are better than others,” business manager Nora said.
Pleasant ambiance and charming service aside, La Toulousaine offers dessert cases stocked with fresh-baked croissants, delicate cookies, breads, and more savory options, as well as hot and cold beverages. Jean-Francois said that almond croissants, opera cakes, and beignets are the best-sellers so far, and the addition of a second oven will expand their range of delicious confections. A late Sunday afternoon visit found customers disappointed that all 40 croissants baked that day had sold out.
The mille-feuille (or Napoleon), a cake of layered puff pastry, vanilla cream, custard, and a thick coating of swirled sugar is incredibly enticing and wickedly absorbing. The only way to stop eating one is to finish it. The fresh baked goods are fairly reasonably priced, from $1 to $4. With just one 75 cent madeleine, a table can be occupied cheaply for hours.
Culinary endeavors run in Jean-Francois’ blood. Hailing from Toulouse, France, his grandfather owned a patisserie, and his parents followed in his footsteps with one of their own. He was educated at a culinary academy in France, eventually opening another patisserie with his parents in Toulouse before moving to New York seven years ago for a change of scenery.
The Gatorzes spent three years planning their new venture, and six months gutting and renovating the space on Amsterdam. Nora, who has lived in Morningside Heights for 18 years, said that the neighborhood used to be filled with gangs and drug culture, but has recently improved a lot.
“Toulousaine” translates literally to “woman from Toulouse,” but Jean-Francois explained that the term can also refer to brick houses that are common in his hometown. He happily whips out his iPhone, keen to show customers a picture of the deep purple flower of Toulouse that has inspired the décor of the café.
Open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, La Toulousaine provides a rustic hangout featuring genuine French baked goods.
COMMENTS
Comments will be moderated in accordance with our comment policy